For the 8^th year running, the Balchik Classic Days festival is taking place in the Black Sea town of the same name on the open-air stage Mistral overlooking the sea, not far from the marina. The event is organized by the Academia Classica foundation and is taking place with the financial support of Balchik municipality and under the patronage of the town's mayor Nikolay Angelov.

This year's edition of the festival opens today, 22 July with a concert by the Varna Philharmonic with conductor Stanislav Ushev and soloists - the budding talents, violinists Alexander and Martin Zayranov who will be the highlight throughout the festival ending on 29 July.

The novelty this year will be the master class by Prof. Borislava Taneva from the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Music Academy. The participants in the master class will give a special final concert on 28 July.

Another highlight in the Balchik Classic Days will be the campaign “Piano 24”, launched to raise money for purchasing a new concert grand piano for the town. The 25^th July has been designated special piano day with a veritable marathon of events connected with this musical instrument - children's and educational programmes, a workshop, an evening concert and a late night film screening. Even before the start of the festival, “keyboard” pedestrian crossings started appearing in the town.

Balchik also has its “piano stops” - along the town's promenade. The Palace cultural institute also gave its support to the Academia Classica initiative and provided a piano in front of the Stone Hall building.

All stops have special signs and a place where passers-by can stop to play some music.